Strawberry plant named &#39;drisstrawseven&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeven’. The new cultivar is primarily characterized by its large, sweet tasting fruit, early harvest maturity, and resistance to powdery mildew is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DrisStrawSeven’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry cultivar designated ‘DrisStrawSeven’ and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry cultivar was discovered in Monterey, Calif. in June, 2003 and originated from a cross between the female proprietary parent ‘77G1’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,771). The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery in Shasta County, California. ‘DrisStrawSeven’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at a nursery in Hillsborough, Fla. for four years. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The photographs were taken from 5-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development.

FIG. 2 shows leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows the upperside of several of the flowers.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is based on observations taken from the 2003 to 2008 growing seasons in Hillsborough, Fla. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeven’ was taken from 5-month-old plants. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Table 1 shows selected plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of ‘Driscoll Atlantis’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,475) and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,298). Plant characteristics include plant height, petiolule length, stipule width, inflorescence position relative to foliage, flower size, fruit truss diameter, and fruit size.

TABLE 1 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Plant height 20.9 19.8 20.2 (cm) Petiolule length 1.394 1.451 1.626 (cm) Stipule 0.420 0.087 0.112 width (cm) Inflorescence Above Between above Between beneath position and level with and level with relative to foliage Flower size Medium Between medium Large and large Fruit truss 0.522 0.423 0.404 diameter (cm) Fruit size Large Medium Between large and very large

Table 2 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of the commercial varieties ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,475) and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,298). Plant characteristics include plant height, diameter, number of crowns per plant, habit, density of individual plant and vigor.

TABLE 2 ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Plant height (cm) 20.9 19.8 20.2 Plant diameter (cm) 35.5 38.9 38.7 Number of 3 3 2 crowns/plant Habit Flat globose Flat globose Flat Density of Medium Medium to Dense Medium individual plant Vigor Medium Medium Strong

Table 3 shows leaf characteristics of the new cultivar compared with leaf characteristics of ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’. Leaf characteristics include terminal leaflet length and width in centimeters, length to width ratio, number of teeth per terminal leaflet, shape of teeth, color of upperside and underside of leaf, leaf shape in cross section, leaf blistering, leaf glossiness, number of leaflets, terminal leaflet margin, terminal leaflet length to width ratio and shape of leaf apex and base.

TABLE 3 Leaf Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ Terminal leaflet 7.97 7.89 8.56 length (cm) Terminal leaflet 7.96 8.01 8.47 width (cm) Terminal leaflet 1.0 1.0 1.0 lengthlwidth ratio No. teeth/terminal 23 23 22 leaflet Shape of teeth Rounded Between obtuse and Rounded rounded Color of upperside of RHS 147A RHS 137A RHS 131B leaf Dark yellow-green Dark green Dark green Color of underside of RHS 138B RHS 140D RHS 142C leaf Medium green Light green Light green Leaf shape in cross Slightly concave Between slightly Slightly concave section concave and flat Leaf blistering Strong Medium Between medium and strong Leaf glossiness Medium Weak Medium No. leaflets More than three (up to Three only Three only 5 out of 10 leaves) Terminal leaflet Flat Flat Flat margin Terminal leaflet: As long as broad As long as broad As long as broad length/width ratio Terminal leaflet Orbicular Ovate Between oval and shape ovate Terminal leaflet base Rounded Obtuse shape Terminal leaflet apex Rounded Rounded Rounded shape

Table 4 shows information about the petiole, the petiolule, the bract, and the stipule of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’. This includes petiole length in centimeters, petiole diameter in centimeters, petiole pubescence, pose of hairs on the petiole, color of the petiole, color of the petiolule, petiolule length in centimeters, petiolule diameter in centimeters, bract frequency per petiole, stipule length in centimeters, stipule width in centimeters, and stipule pubescence.

TABLE 4 ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Petiole length (cm) 12.7 13.7 15.3 Petiole diameter (cm) 0.456 0.430 0.455 Petiole pubescence Between medium Dense Medium and dense Petiole pose of hairs Between upwards Outwards Between and outwards outwards and downwards Petiole color RHS 144D RHS 145C RHS 145D Light Light yellow-green Light yellow-green yellow-green Petiolule color RHS 144D RHS 145C RHS 145D Light Light yellow-green Light yellow-green yellow-green Petiolule length (cm) 1.394 1.451 1.626 Petiolule diameter (cm) 0.237 0.213 0.233 Bract frequency 2 2 2 Stipule length (cm) 3.8 3.7 3.9 Stipule width (cm) 0.420 0.087 0.112 Stipule pubescence Medium Dense Medium Stipule anthocyanin Medium coloration

Table 5 shows stolon characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’. These characteristics include the number of stolons, average number of daughter plants, the anthocyanin coloration of the stolons, the thickness of the stolons, and the pubescence of the stolons.

TABLE 5 ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Stolon Number Many Average number of 55 53 52 daughter plants Stolon Anthocyanin Medium Between weak and Strong medium Stolon Thickness Medium Medium Medium Stolon Pubescence Sparse Medium Medium

Table 6 shows inflorescence characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’. These characteristics include inflorescence position relative to foliage, relative flower size, flower diameter in centimeters (measured from petal tip to petal tip), petal shape, relative spacing of petals, petal apex, base and margin, petal length in centimeters, petal width in centimeters, petal length to width ratio, number of petals, petal color, calyx diameter in centimeters (measured on back of flower from sepal tip to sepal tip), diameter of calyx relative to corolla, diameter of inner calyx relative to outer, sepal shape, apex and margin, sepal length in centimeters (measured from sepal tip to point of attachment to receptacle), sepal width in centimeters, number of sepals, receptacle color and anther color.

TABLE 6 ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ Atlantis’ ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ Inflorescence position Above Between level Between beneath and relative to foliage with and above level with Flower size Medium Between medium Large and large Flower diameter (cm) 2.238 2.369 2.070 Petal shape Orbicular Orbicular Orbicular Petal spacing Overlapping Overlapping Between touching and overlapping Petal apex shape Rounded Rounded Rounded Petal margin Entire Entire Entire Petal base shape Rounded Rounded Rounded Petal length (cm) 1.043 1.248 1.166 Petal width (cm) 1.081 1.302 1.188 Petal lengthlwidth ratio tc As long as broad As long as broad As long as broad Typical and observed 6 5 6 petal number Petal color RHS 155D RHS 155C White RHS 155C White White Calyx diameter (cm) 2.789 2.871 2.997 Calyx diameter relative to Between smaller and Between same Between same size corolla same size size and larger and larger Inner calyx diameter Same size Same size Larger relative to outer Sepal shape Elliptical Elliptical Elliptical Sepal apex shape Convex Convex Convex Sepal margin Entire Entire Entire Sepal length (cm) 0.989 1.040 1.172 Sepal width (cm) 0.508 0.713 0.637 Typical and observed 12 11 11 sepal number Receptacle color RHS 3A RHS 149A RHS 149B Medium yellow Medium yellow Medium yellow green Anther color RHS 7A RHS 9A RHS 9A Dark yellow Dark yellow Dark yellow

Table 7 shows fruit characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’. These characteristics include fruiting truss length in centimeters, fruiting truss diameter, number of berries per truss, fruiting truss attitude, fruiting truss color, fruit length in centimeters, fruit truss width in centimeters, fruit length to width ratio, fruit hollow length and width in centimeters, fruit weight in grams, relative fruit size, predominant fruit shape, difference in shape between primary and secondary fruits, band without achenes, unevenness of fruit surface, fruit skin color, evenness of fruit color, fruit glossiness, insertion of achenes, achene coloration (sunward and shaded sides of berry), insertion of calyx, pose of calyx segments, size of calyx in relation to fruit, adherence of calyx, firmness of flesh, color of the fruit flesh, evenness of the flesh color, distribution of flesh color, hollow center, sweetness of fruit, acidity of fruit, texture of fruit when tasted, time of flowering, harvest maturity, type of bearing, grams of fruit per plant.

TABLE 7 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawSeven’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Fruiting truss length 22.2 22.7 19.7 (cm) Fruiting truss 0.522 0.423 0.404 diameter (cm) Number of berries 3 3 1 per fruiting truss Fruiting truss Between erect and Prostrate Prostrate attitude semi-erect Fruiting truss color RHS 144D RHS 145B RHS 144B Light yellow green Light yellow Light yellow green green Fruit length (cm) 4.890 4.200 5.180 Fruit width (cm) 3.720 3.640 4.610 Fruit length/width 1.3 1.2 1.1 ratio Fruit length/width Longer than broad Longer than Longer than ratio broad broad Fruit hollow 2.130 1.880 2.310 length (cm) Fruit hollow 0.420 0.85 0 0.790 width (cm) Fruit hollow 5.1 2.2 2.9 length/width ratio Fruit weight (g) 26.7 23.8 31.8 Relative fruit size Large Medium Between large and very large Predominant fruit Conical Conical Conical shape Difference in shape Slight Slight Slight between primary & secondary fruits Band without Narrow Absent or Narrow achenes very narrow Unevenness of fruit Medium Between Medium surface weak and medium Fruit skin color RHS 46A RHS 45B RHS 43A Dark red Medium red Medium red Evenness of fruit Even Even Even color Fruit glossiness Between medium Strong Strong and strong Insertion of achenes Level with surface Level with Level with surface surface Achene coloration- RHS 145A RHS 151D RHS 150C shaded side of berry Light yellow-green Light Light yellow-green yellow-green Insertion of calyx Level Level Level Pose of calyx Spreading Between Between segments spreading spreading and and reflexed reflexed Size of calyx in Between same size Between Larger relation to fruit and larger same size and larger Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of flesh Between medium Firm Medium and firm Color of the flesh RHS 40B RHS 42B RHS 40C Medium red Medium red Medium red Evenness of flesh Between uneven and Slightly Slightly uneven color slightly uneven uneven Distribution of flesh Marginal and central Marginal and Marginal and color central central Hollow center Small Medium Medium Sweetness Strong Strong Strong Acidity Between weak and Medium Medium medium Texture when tasted Fine Medium Fine Time of flowering Medium Very early Early Harvest maturity Early December to Late Late November (50% of plants with late April November to mid-March ripe fruit) to mid-March Type of bearing Not everbearing Partially Partially everbearing everbearing Grams of fruit/plant 402 360 448

Table 8 shows pest and disease characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’.

TABLE 8 Pest or Disease ‘DrisStrawSeven’ ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ Xanthomonas Susceptible Moderately Moderately fragariae susceptible susceptible Powdery Resistant Susceptible Susceptible mildew

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL CULTIVARS

When ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is compared to the proprietary female parent ‘77G1’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is a short-day plant, whereas ‘77G1’ is a day-neutral plant.

When ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is compared to the male parent ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,771), ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is a globose plant that is not everbearing, whereas ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ is a flat globose plant that is fully everbearing. In addition, the leaf shape in cross section of ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is slightly concave and ‘DrisStrawSeven’ has more than three leaflets. The leaf shape in cross section of ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ is concave and ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ has only three leaflets. Further, the fruiting truss attitude in ‘DrisStrawSeven’ is between erect and semi-erect, whereas it is prostrate in ‘Driscoll Camarillo’. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant as described and shown herein. 